Girls Aloud star found guilty of assault

Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy has been found guilty of assault on a nightclub worker this afternoon.

A jury at Kingston Crown Court decided that the 20-year-old had commited assault on Sophie Amogbokpa, a toilet attendant at Guildford's 'Drink' club. However they unanimously agreed that claims Tweedy had made racist comments were false.

"I'm pleased that the trial is over and thankful that the jury have accepted that this incident had nothing to do with race," said Tweedy in a statement through her solicitor. "I'm not a racist, and anyone who knows me knows I would not say anything racist.

"I'm stunned and disappointed by the conviction for assault. I would like to thank my family, friends and our fans for their support over this difficult year."

Judge Richard Haworth sentenced her to 120 hours of unpaid community service, as well as fines of £500 to the victim and £3000 in court fees.

"This was an unpleasant piece of drunken violence which caused Sophie Amogbokpa pain and suffering," he said. "Her eye was painful for three or four weeks, there was bruising for three months and for a while she had blurred vision. You showed no remorse whatsoever."